Multiple message sign apparatus

ABSTRACT

A signboard having a pair of opposed message viewing faces and containing a first pair and a second pair of separate and independent messages, with the capability of concurrently displaying one message of the first pair through one viewing face and the other message of the first pair through the other viewing face, then concurrently substituting and displaying the second pair of messages through the viewing faces in a similar manner so that on a sequential basis one message from the first pair and one message from the second pair are alternately displayed through one viewing face and the other two messages are displayed in a similar manner through the other viewing face. The messages are made up of message segments disposed on the surfaces of an array of parallelogram prism message support members mounted within the sign frame for oscillation in unison between first and second viewing positions. Gaps otherwise present in the displayed message, resulting from the offset of the parallelogram sides relative to the axes of rotation of the message support members, are avoided through the provision of a pair of end members containing surface portions which selectively occupy the gaps in the viewing faces.

United States Patent 1 1 Hunter, ,1 r.

1 1 Nov. 18, 1975 1 MULTIPLE MESSAGE SIGN APPARATUS 1121 Filed: Sept.21, 1973 1211 Appl. No: 399,537

[52] US. Cl. 40/30; ill/77.7; 40/77 [51] Int. CL" ,1 GUQF 11/00 [58]Field Of Search 1. 40/774, 77.6, 77,7, 33 40/30. 77

{56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 714,839 12/1902 Watson ct a140/77 7 39.599 6/1903 Jolly 40/ 77 790.739 5/1905 McNeal v v 1 1 v v v a1 1 7. 40/777 1.158.698 4/1913 Goldstein.....,.,.........,,. .40/7771161.85 11/1915 Forhes.,...,...,, 40/33 1256.645 2/1918 Barnett... .7411/777 1,652.335 12/1927 Wiley 4 r 40/30 3.367.049 2/1968 Noreen 1.40/77.?

FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 4 15.065 1 1/1938 United Kingdom H40/776 421.872 12/1924 Germany 40/777 711.511 11/1966 Italy H 40777.7

Primary E.\'amiuerlohn H. Wolff Ant/rue Agent, or Firmlones, Thomas &Askew [57] ABSTRACT A signhoard having a pair of opposed message viewingfaces and containing a first pair and a second pair of separate andindependent messages, with the capability of concurrently displaying onemessage of the first pair through one viewing face and the other messageof the first pair through the other viewing face, then concurrentlysubstituting and displaying the second pair of messages through theviewing faces in a similar manner so that on a sequential basis onemessage from the first pair and one message from the second pair arealternately displayed through one viewing face and the other twomessages are displayed in a similar manner through the other viewingface. The messages are made up of message segments disposed on thesurfaces of an array of parallelogram prism message support membersmounted within the sign frame for oscillation in unison between firstand second viewing positions. Gaps otherwise present in the displayedsage, resulting from the offset of the parallelogram sides relative tothe axes of rotation of the message support members, are avoided throughthe provision of a pair of end members containing surface portions whichselectively occupy the gaps in the viewing faces.

9 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Nov. 18,1975 Sheetlof23,919,794

U.S. Patent Nov. 18,1975 Sheet20f2 3,919,794

FIGBA FIGH FYGJO 1 MULTIPLE MESSAGE SIGN APPARATUS This inventionrelates in general to message display apparatus and in particular tosign apparatus for sequentially displaying multiple messagesv The art ofproviding advertising and display messages for the goods and servicesprovided by various commercial establishments is always striving toprovide advertising displays which draw attention to the establishmentsand which are available at a price within reach of a great number ofpotential users. One of the more popular types of such advertisingdisplays, particularly for the relatively small retail proprietor whomay not have the funds and/or the available space for a relativelylarge, permanent signboard or billboard, is the socalled "trailer sign,"which typically includes a small two-wheel trailer carrying a fixedilluminating signboard. The trailer is parked at a strategic location,in view of potential patrons of an establishement, and a suitablemessage is displayed on either or both sides of the signboard. Suchtrailer signs are typically leased or rented to users, who need only payfor the time of actual use of the sign.

The messages displayed on trailer signs, as well as the messages usuallydisplayed on fixed or stationary signs, are typically semi-permanent andare changeable only by manually providing new message letters or byotherwise providing a new semi-permanent message replacing the oldmessage. Many advertisers, however, would perfer a message signboardcapable of displaying at least two separate messages in sequence, sincea sign providing a changing message display attracts attention and alsoprovides a multiple amount of effective advertising display area for agiven area of a signboard.

Message signboards having changeable displays are not unknown to theprior art. Various types of neon signs, for example, have long been usedin combination with electrical timing and switching controls to providevarious types of changing displays. Such signs are designed andconstructed with fixed neon elements representing the desired messages,and are, accordingly, quite expensive. Signboards are also known in theprior art which provide a changeable message through the use of a numberof rotatable or otherwise-movable message elements, such as slats, whichare rotated or otherwise moved to place various message display surfacesin desired alignment with a viewing face. Such movable-element signs ofthe prior art are relatively expensive and complex of manufacture, andhave found limited acceptance only to the extent of relatively large,permanently mounted billboards. Moreover, such movable-displaybillboards of the prior art are typically one-faced, that is, a messageis displayed on only one viewing face of the billboard. For this furtherreason, accordingly, movable message billboard mechansism of the priorart are inappropriate for adaptation to trailer signs and other types ofrelatively inexpensive or double-faced Signboards.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved multiple message sign apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a double-facedsign apparatus providing multiple messages on each face.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide arelatively inexpensive multiple message sign apparatus which cansequentially display a first pair of messages on one face, and a secondpair of messages on 2 another face, with each message being independentof all other messages.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description of adisclosed embodiment, including the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an elevation view of one side of a double-faced multiplemessage sign apparatus according to a disclosed embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a modified end section taken along line 2-2 of FIG. I, showingthe arrangement of operative linkage between the array of messagesupport elements, with the side member of the housing omitted;

FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 show four illustrative positions ofthe message support members in a sequence of oscillation between a firstmessage display position and a second message display position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8a is a section view taken along line 88 of FIG. 7 showing detailof an axial pivotal interconnection between a message support member anda support frame;

FIG. 8b is a section view showing an alternative arrangement of pivotalinterconnection, for use with internally illuminated message supportmembers;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary section view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a partial elevation view, taken along line l0l0 of FIG. 9,showing a typical message arrangement displayed on adjoining messagedisplay faces of one message support member; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation view showing details of thedrive interconnection to the message support elements.

Stated in general terms, multiple message sign apparatus according tothe present invention comprises an array of separate message supportmembers each of which contains four sides defining a parallelogram. Themessage support members are interconnected by linkage for oscillation inunison around respective axes of rotation, for rotation between a firstposition wherein the first pair of parallelogram sides for each messagesupport member are aligned in two parallel and spacedapart messagedisplay planes, and a second position whereat the second pair ofparallelogram sides are similarly aligned. Each of the sides of eachmessage support member receives a portion of a particular message to bedisplayed. Gaps between the supporting frame structure and the sides ofthe overall messages, resulting from the offset of the parallelogramsides relative to the axis of rotation of each message support element,are filled by a pair of members mounted at each end of the array andconnected to oscillate with the messagae support members. The sides ofthe message support members may be of a transparent or translucentmaterial, and a preferably non-rotating source of illumination may bedisposed within each of the message support members to provide internalillumination of the messages carried by the members. The parallelogramprisms may assume the form of rhombic prims in an especially preferredembodiment of the present invention.

The present invention is more particularly shown with reference to thedisclosed embodiment and in particular to FIGS. I and 2, wherein isshown a multiple message sign apparatus indicated generally at 12 andincluding a housing [3 surrounding and defining a pair of aligned andspaced-apart message viewing openings 14 and 15. Although the housing 13is depicted as being of unitary construction, it will be understood thatthis housing may be fabricated of separate elements including theviewing frame members 16 and 17, which define the height of the messageviewing openings as depicted in the Figures. Furthermore. it will beunderstood that the base 18 of the sign apparatus may be mounted on atrailer or other type of transporting apparatus, if desired, or may bepermanently supported; the nature and details of sign apparatus mountingform no part of the present invention, however, and are not describedherein.

A plurality of message support members 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d are receivedwithin the housing 13, each such member being mounted for rotation onindividual axes substantially parallel with the frame members 16 and 17.Althrough four separate message support members are provided in thedisclosed embodiment, it will become apparent that the choice of four isby way of example only and that a greater or lesser number of messagesupport members can be utilized if desired. Each of the message supportmembers 22a-22d has a first pair of parallel sides x, x and a secondpair of parallel sides y, y (so designated in FIGS. 3-6 for the supportmember 22a only, for clarity of description), and it can be seen thatthe two pairs of sides x x, y y define a parallelogram cross-section ofeach message support member. The exterior surfaces of the sides x, x andy, y' can be used to support elements of a message, as is explained ingreater detail below.

Each of the message support members 22a22d is mounted for rotation on anaxis journaled within the side members 23 and 24 of the housing 13, withone such journal shown in general at the broken-away area 25 of FIG. 1and described in detail below. It can be seen from FIG. 2, as well asfrom FIGS. 3-6, that the axes of rotation for the several messagesupport members lie within a common plane. The side member 24 is omittedin FIG. 2 so as to illustrate the viewing openings 14 and with greaterclarity.

Since the surfaces of each message support member are longitudinallyoffset relative to the axis about which the message support memberoscillates, it can be seen that a gap of substantial extent existsbetween one end of the array of parallel sides x, x (or y, y) and one ofthe frame members 16 or 17, for each of the viewing openings 14 and 15.Examples ofthese gaps are seen in FIG. 2, where a gap having height ofapproximately one-half of the width of side x occurs between the upperend of the side x of message support member 22a and the frame member 16.A corresponding gap is visible in the viewing opening 15, and occursbetween the message support member 22d and the lower frame member 17.Although these gaps do not directly affect the operation of the presentsign, the gaps appear to the viewer as voids in the displayed messagesand are distracting and generally unsightly. Moreover, the gaps providean unwanted opportunity for the accidental or deliberate insertion ofdebris into the gap, with conse quential jamming and possible damage ofthe sign oscillating mechanism.

The gap problem is solved in the present invention with the provision ofa pair of end members 30 and 31 mounted at respective ends of the arrayof message support members. Each of the end members 30 and 31 is mountedto be rotatable about an axis disposed in the same plane as the axes ofrotation of the message sup- 4 port members. The end member has a pairof sides 32x and 32 each of which is of sufficient extent (as measuredin the upright or vertical position as in FIG. 2) to substantially fillthe gap which otherwise occurs between an offset side of a messagesupport member and a viewing frame member 16 (or 17).

The end member 31 has a pair of sides 33x and 33y, corresponding indimension and function with the sides 32x, 32y of the end member 30. Itcan be seen in FIG. 2 that each of the end members 30 and 32 has thecross-sectional shape of a trapezoid.

Each of the message support members is connected for oscillation inunison about the respective axes of rotation by way of a linkage 34connected to an end of each message support member. except 22d, with apin 35 or other suitable rotating connection permitting the linkage toapply only linear force to the connection. The linkage 34 is connectedto message support member 22d and to a drive link 36 through a commonpin connection 35, which is in turn connected by a pin connection to thedrive wheel 37. The drive wheel 37 is rotated at a suitable speed by themotor 38, and it will be appreciated that the motor may include anappropriate speed reduction mechanism to rotate the drive wheel 37 at aspeed which is less than the output speed of the motor.

With the parallelogram configuration chosen for the message supportmembers of the disclosed embodiment, it is necessary to rotate each ofthe message support members 120 to transport the array of messagesupport members from the position shown in FIG. 2, wherein the sides 1:,x are visible through the respec tive openings 15 and 14, to theposition shown in FIG. 6, where the respective sides y, y are visiblethrough the openings. The identical distances between each pinconnection 35 of the linkage 34 and the respective rotational axes ofthe message support members is, accordingly, selected to accomplish 120rotation of each message support member in response to 180 rotation ofthe drive wheel 37 from the lowermost position, as depicted in FIG. 3,to the uppermost position, as depicted in FIG. 6. The exact dimensionsof the support members and the drive wheel, and selection of suchdimensions are well within the ability of those skilled in the art.

The end member 30 is rotated by force applied through a link 42 having apin connection 42a with the end member 30 and a pin connection 42d withthe adjacent message support member 22a. The end member 31 similarly isdriven for rotation by a link 43 having a pin connection 43a with theend member 31 and a pin connection 43d with the adjacent message supportmember 22d. The parallelogram-configured message support members used inthe disclosed embodiment are equilateral parallelograms. or rhombicsections, having acute angles of approx. and obtuse angles of approx.Since each of end members 30 and 31 de fines a trapezoid, the major baseof which is substantially parallel with a facing side x or y of theadjacent message support member during message display positions of thearray, as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 6, the end members 30 and 31 each havean including angle of 60 between the major base and each of the sides32x, 32y and 33x, 33y, respectively. From the foregoing analysis, itwill be understood that it is necessary for each of the end members 30and 31 to be rotated 60 during the aforementioned l20 rotation of themessage support members. This desired 60 rotation of the end members 30and 31 is accomplished through the proper location of the pinconnections 42a and 42b of the link 42, and of the pin connections 43aand 43d of the link 43. The specific lengths of the lever arms definedbetween the aforementioned pin connections and the rotational axes ofthe end members and the respective adjacent support members is notcritical, so long as the relationship of such lever arms produces theaforementioned 60 rotation of each end member in response to I ofrotation for the message support members.

A complete message change sequence of the disclosed sign apparatus willnow become apparent from consideration of FIGS. 3-6. FIG. 3 shows afirst message display position of the message support member array,wherein all of the x sides are substantially arranged in parallel planealignment for viewing through the viewing opening 15 (not shown in FIGS.3-6) and wherein all of the x surfaces are correspondingly arranged forviewing through the viewing 14 (also not shown in FIGS. 3-6). Theconnection between the drive link 36 and the drive wheel 37 is at bottomdead center at this time. As the drive wheel 37 rotates in thedesignated direction. the drive link 36 moves upwardly as shown in FIG.4, causing corresponding movement of the linkage 34 and rotation of theseveral message support members. It can be seen in FIG. 4 that therespective sides x, x of the several message support members havecommenced moving away from the aforementioned parallel plane alignmentwith each other. At the same time, moreover, the surfaces y, y, whichpreviously were in confronting alignment with each other, have commencedmovement toward the positions previously occupied by the surfaces x andx. It can also be seen in FIG. 4 that the end members and 31 havecommenced rotating in response to movement of the adjacent messagesupport members.

FIG. 5 shows the message support members and the end membersapproximately three-quarters toward completion of the transition ofmessage display. The transitional movement continues until the drivelink 36 is at an uppermost or top dead center position, as in FIG. 6,whereat the several message support surfaces y are in substantialparallel plane alignment for viewing through the viewing opening 15 andthe message support surfaces y are similarly aligned for viewing throughthe viewing opening 14. It can also be seen in FIG. 6 that the side 32yof the end member 30 is in alignment with the message support membersides y, while the side 32x of the end member 30 has moved upwardly tothe out of viewing sight. Similarly, the side 33x of the end member 31is in alignment with the sides y of the message support members and theside 33y has moved downwardly out of viewing position.

The drive motor 38 can be controlled to pause at the top dead centerposition, depicted in FIG. 6, and also to pause at the bottom deadcenter position. Continuing rotation of the drive wheel 37 beyond thetop dead center position causes a reversal of the foregoing operativesequence to place the message support members and the end members onceagain in the position shown in FIG. 3. The speed of rotation of thedrive wheel 37 is selected to provide a desired period of dwell timewhereat the drive link 36 has substantially or completely accomplishedthe maximum extent of upward or downward travel, since the dwell timedetermines the viewing time for each message display surface. If it isdesired to provide a longer dwell time then can be practically obtainedwith a simple rotating drive wheel 37, while maintaining a relativelyrapid message change, it may be desirable to reciprocate the drive link36 with a suitable alternative mechanism providing the desired relativelong dwell times combined with relatively rapid message changeovertimes. Such alternative mechanisms are within the capability of theperson of ordinary skill in the art.

The axes of rotation and support for the several message support memberscan be provided by any suitable rotational arrangement, in the case of anonilluminated message sign apparatus, althrough a preferred arrangementof simplified construction is shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 80. An axle pin48 is non-rotatably secured to a support member 49, which is mountedwithin the side member 24 of the sign apparatus. The axle pin 48 may besecured in place within a split clamp block 50 secured by fasteners 51and 52 to the support member 49. The axle pin extends outwardly awayfrom the support member 49 and is rotatably received within a bushing 54secured within an end wall 55 of a message support member 22b, forexample. The proper spacing distance between the end wall 55 and thesupport member 49 may be maintained by one or more spacers 53 positionedon the axle member 48. It will be understood that a similar axlearrangement is also present at the other end of the message supportmember 22b, as well as at the ends of the other message support members.

Although messages contained on the sign apparatus of the presentinvention can be externally illuminated by such known expedients asfloodlamps or other illumination sources directed toward the faces ofthe sign members, the sign construction of the present invention isreadily adaptable to internal illumination of the message supportmembers. It will be understood that internally illuminated messagesupport members must have sides which are translucent or otherwisetransmissive of illumination; the message indicia on such internallyilluminated surfaces preferably, althrough not necessarily, would beopaque relative to such illumination-transmissive material. A preferredarrangement for maintaining a source of illumination within the messagesupport members is shown in FIG. 8b, it being understood that sucharrangement in conjunction with a rotational axis of the message supportmember would be used in lieu of the construction shown in FIG. 8a for anon-illuminated message support member. A hollow axle tube 56 is affixedto the support member 49 by any suitable clamping arrangement such as asplit clamp block similar to the block 50. The axle tube 56 extends awayfrom the support member 49 to terminate at a flange 57 which isconnected to a conventional lamp connector 58 located within a messagesupport member. A bushing 59 is mounted in an end wall 60 of the messagesupport member, with the bushing 59 being rotatably received on the axletube 56. Spacers 53' can be positioned about the axle tube 56 asnecessary to center the message support member. A suitable lamp 6] isconnected to the lamp connector 58, and electricity is supplied to thelamp by the wires 62 extending through the hollow axle tube 57. It willbe again understood that a similar bearing and lamp support arrangementis provided at the opposite end of the message support member. The lamp6! may conveniently, although not necessarily, be provided by afluorescent lamp of appropriate length.

It will be appreciated that the above-described illumination and bearingarrangement provides relatively 7 uniform illumination along the entirelength of each message support member while maintaining the lamp 61 in astationary non-rotating arrangement, thereby avoiding the problemscaused by current slip rings or flexible wires which are continuouslyand repetitively twisted as the message support members oscillate.

Turning next to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is shown a preferred construtionof the message surfaces provided by the message support members. it isdesirable to have the hidden surfaces of the sign array disposedpractically in confronting relation with each other, so that the amountof visible gap between adjacent support members, for example, themembers 22a and 22b, is minimized. This requirement conflicts with adesire of many message sign users to employ raised interchangeableindividual letters and numbers to compile the messages carried on thesurfaces of the message support members, since such raised indicia couldcause the support members to become or to undergo less than a desired120 of rotation. With reference to FIG. 9, however, it can be seen thateach of the message sides x, x and y, y has formed therein a messagereceiving depressed region defined by respective numerals 65x, 65x and65y, 65y. Each of these depressed regions preferably extends alongsubstantially the entire length of the message sides, and each region issufficiently tall to accommodate the indicia 66 to be used. The extendto which the regions 6Sx-65y are depressed below the nomimal plane ofthe message surfaces should be at least sufficient to accommodate thethickness of the indicia to be used.

Although the message support member of FIG. 9 is depicted as being ofunitary construction, it will be understood that the four sides of themessage support member may be constructed of separate panels which aresuitably joined together, along with the aforemen tioned end walls, toprovide a message support member which is hollow and relatively light inweight, and which therefore requires a relatively low amount of power toaccelerate the support members into rotation from a dwell position andto decelerate the members to the next dwell position.

It is desirable to include an appropriate overload prevention mechanismin the drive arrangement of the oscillating support members, so that themotor 38 will not become overloaded or a message support member will notbecome damaged by some blockage of the sign apparatus. Such blockagescan occur especially during the message-transition phase of operation,through the accidental or maliciously deliberate insertion of debrisinto the openings which momentarily occur between the oscillatingmessage support members. A preferred overload connection is combined inthe drive link 36, as particularly shown in FIG. 11, which includes atrombone connection having an outer member 70 with an elongated internalpassageway 71 therein. An inner member 72 of corresponding elongateconfiguration is freely slidably received in the passageway 71. A detentnotch 73 is formed at a predetermined location along the inner member72, and a member such as the ball 74 retained in the support receptacle77 is resiliently urged into the detent notch by the spring 75. Theresilient force exerted on the ball 74 can be adjusted by rotation ofthe threaded spring retaining plug 76 closing the outer end of thereceptacle 77. The free end of the inner member 72 is attached to thepin connection 35' of the message support member 22d.

The resilient force applied to the ball 74 is sufficient to maintain theball in locked engagement with the detent notch 73 during normaloscillation of the message support members. The resilient force on theball 74 is adjusted to allow the ball to become moved out of the detentnotch 73, however, in the event that the linear force applied along thedrive link 36 exceeds some certain predetermined amount. The ball 74then rides along the surface of the inner member 72 as the outer member70 reciprocates, and it will be seen that the ball 74 re-engages thedetent notch during return travel of the outer member 70. In the case ofa sign jammed with debris lodged between message support members, thisreengagement of the ball and the detent notch may move the messagesupport members in a direction sufficient to dislodge the debris andpermit continued oscillation of the message support members. Even if thedebris remains lodged, or the message support members remain otherwisejammed, the ball and detent notch continue to engage and disengage toprevent damage either to the message support members, the linkage, orthe motor 38.

The indicia 66 can be removably secured to the several depressed regionsby any appropriate attachment expedient, such as with magnetized indiciaand a magnetically-attractive surface of the depressed regions, by theuse of tape or other adhesive substances, by the use of Velcrointerconnective material on the backs of the indicia and on thedepressed regions, or the like.

It can be seen that the message support members of the present signapparatus are oscillated by a drive mechanism which completely avoidsthe use of gears, flippers, or other expensive and relatively cumbersomedriving elements. The arrangement of linkage 34, drive link 36, and thedrive wheel 37, with the pin connections 35' and 3S aligned with thebottom dead center position of the drive wheel, provides maximum leverarm between the pin connection 35' and the axis of the message supportmember 22d as the link 36 com mences its respective upward and downwardmovements. An alternative drive arrangement providing appropriate drivevelocity and extent of travel can be substituted. as will be understood.

It should be understood that the foregoing relates only to a preferredembodiment of the present invention, and that numerous changes andmodifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit andthe scope of the invention as defined in the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

l. Changeable message sign apparatus comprising:

support means including a pair of spaced apart frame members definingopposed sides of a message region including a pair of aligned spacedapart openings of viewing messages displayed in said message region;

an array of separate message support means disposed in said messageregion, each of said message support means having further means wherebythe message support means are mounted for rotation on respectiveparallel coplanar axes;

each of said message support means having four message support sideswhich are parallel with the respective said axis of rotation and each ofsaid four sides being spaced apart from the axis of rotation to define aparallelogram having a first pair and a second pair of parallel messagesupport sides;

9 said message support means being juxtaposed for rotation on said axesbetween first and second positions whereat confronting sides of adjacentmessage support means substantially abut each other;

means; and second means connecting said second end member to theadjacent message support means at said other 10 end of said array forsaid selective oscillation in unison therewith. 4. Apparatus as in claim1, wherein: the axes of rotation of each of said message support linkagemeans interconnecting each of each message means are coplanar;

support means for oscillation in unision between a each of said firstand second end members, as viewed first said position, placing all ofthe one message in section perpendicular to its axis of oscillation,support sides of the first pairs of sides substantially defines thenonparallel sides of said trapezoid; and in parallel plane alignment forviewing through one each of said end members oscillates about a respecofsaid viewing openings and placing all of the tive axis of rotationcoplanar with the axes of rotaother sides of said first pairssubstantially in parallel tion of said message support means. planealignment for viewing through the other of 5. Apparatus as in claim 1,wherein: said viewing openings, and said second position, said messagesupport sides are transmissive of illumiplacing all of the one messagesupport sides of the nation; and second pairs of sides substantially inparallel plane illumination means nonrotatably disposed within alignmentfor viewing through said one viewing each of said message support means.opening and placing of the other sides of said sec- 6. Apparatus as inclaim 5, wherein: ond pairs substantially in parallel plane alignmentsaid illumination means comprises an axis member for viewing through theother of said viewing openextending from fixed relation with saidsupport ings', means along the axis of rotation of a message supa firstend member having a first side and a second port means to a location incommunication with a side defining the opposite nonparallel sides of anhollow region within said message support means; isosceles trapezoid,said first end member mounted electrical conductive means disposed insaid axis parallel to and adjacent the message support means member; atone end of said array for selective oscillation bemeans connected withsaid message support means in tween a first position and a secondposition; rotation bearing relation with said axis member; the firstposition of said first end member placing said and first side thereofinto a gap in said one viewing asource ofillumination disposed withinsaid message opening between a frame member and an offset support meansand nonrotatably supported by said side of said adjacent message supportmeans, and axis member, said source of illumination connected the secondposition of said first end member placto said electrical conductivemeans. ing said second side thereof into a gap remaining in 7. Apparatusas in claim 1, wherein: said other viewing opening between said framesaid linkage means comprises means pivotally atmember and another offsetside of said adjacent 3s tached to each of said message support means ata message support means; and certain location spaced apart from each ofsaid a second end member having a first side and a second axes ofrotation;

side defining the opposite nonparallel sides of an motive means rotatingan output wheel; and isosceles trapezoid, said second end member a drivelink interconnected between said pivotally atmounted parallel to andadjacent the message sup- 4O tached means and a radial location on saidoutput port means at the other end of said array for selecwheel whichoscillates said message support memtive oscillation between a firstposition and a secher from said first position to said second positionond position, in one-half revolution of the output wheel. the firstposition of said second end member placing 8. Apparatus as in claim 7,wherein:

said first side thereof into a gap remaining in said said drive linkincludes a first member having an other viewing opening between theother frame elongate internal passageway; member and an offset side ofsaid adjacent message a second member of elongate configuration receivedsupport means and the second position of said secwithin said internalpassageway and dimensioned end end member placing said second sidethereof to be freely reciprocable therein; into a gap remaining in saidone viewing opening one of said first and second members connected tobetween said other frame member and another offsaid output wheel and theother member connected set side of said adjacent message support means,to said pivotally attached means; so that each viewing opening displaysa complete first a detent formed in said second member; and

message or second message without any visible a member mounted on saidfirst member and resilgaps at the ends of the array of message supportiently engged with said detent to transmit drive means. force sufficientfor normal oscillation of said mes- 2. Apparatus as in claim 1, furthercomprising means sage support members and to disengage said detentconnecting said first end member and said second end if the drive forceexceeds a certain maximum member for said selective oscillation inunison with osamount. cillation of said message support means. 9.Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:

3. Apparatus as in claim I, further comprising: each of message supportsides comprises a generally first means connecting said first end memberto the plane surface havinga message receiving depressed adjacentmessage support means at said one end of region extending alongsubstantially the length of said array for said selective oscillation inunison the message support side and of sufficient depth to withoscillation of said adjacent message support hold changeable indiciadisplays without interferences when sides of adjacent message supportsconfront and substantially abut each other.

1. Changeable message sign apparatus comprising: support means includinga pair of spaced apart frame members defining opposed sides of a messageregion including a pair of aligned spaced apart openings of viewingmessages displayed in said message region; an array of separate messagesupport means disposed in said message region, each of said messagesupport means having further means whereby the message support means aremounted for rotation on respective parallel coplanar axes; each of saidmessage support means having four message support sides which areparallel with the respective said axis of rotation and each of said foursides being spaced apart from the axis of rotation to define aparallelogram having a first pair and a second pair of parallel messagesupport sides; said message support means being juxtaposed for rotationon said axes between first and second positions whereat confrontingsides of adjacent message support means substantially abut each other;linkage means interconnecting each of each message support means foroscillation in unision between a first said position, placing all of theone message support sides of the first pairs of sides substantially inparallel plane alignment for viewing through one of said viewingopenings and placing all of the other sides of said first pairssubstantially in parallel plane alignment for viewing through the otherof said viewing openings, and said second position, placing all of theone message support sides of the second pairs of sides substantially inparallel plane alignment for viewing through said one viewing openingand placing of the other sides of said second pairs substantially inparallel plane alignment for viewing through the other of said viewingopenings; a first end member having a first side and a second sidedefining the opposite nonparallel sides of an isosceles trapezoid, saidfirst end member mounted parallel to and adjacent the message supportmeans at one end of said array for selective oscillation between a firstposition and a second position; the first position of said first endmember placing said first side thereof into a gap in said one viewingopening between a frame member and an offset side of said adjacentmessage support means, and the second position of said first end memberplacing said second side thereof into a gap remaining in said otherviewing opening between said frame member and another offset side ofsaid adjacent message support means; and a second end member having afirst side and a second side defining the opposite nonparallel sides ofan isosceles trapezoid, said second end member mounted parallel to andadjacent the message support means at the other end of said array forselective oscillation between a first position and a second position,the first position of said second end member placing said first sidethereof into a gap remaining in said other viewing opening between theother frame member and an offset side of said adjacent message supportmeans and the second position of said second end member placing saidsecond side thereof into a gap remaining in said one viewing openingbetween said other frame member and another offset side of said adjacentmessage support means, so that each viewing opening displays a completefirst message or second message without any visible gaps at the ends ofthe array of message support means.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1, furthercomprising means connecting said first end member and said second endmember for said selective oscillation in unison with oscillation of saidmessage support means.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising:first means connecting said first end member to the adjacent messagesupport means at said one end of said array for said selectiveoscillation in unison with oscillation of said adjacent message supportmeans; and second means connecting said second end member to theadjacent message support means at said other end of said array for saidselective oscillation in unison therewith.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 1,wherein: the axes of rotation of each of said message support means arecoplanar; each of said first and second end members, as viewed insection perpendicular to its axis of oscillation, defines thenonparallel sides of said trapezoid; and each of said end membersoscillates about a respective axis of rotation coplanar with the axes ofrotation of said message support means.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 1,wherein: said message support sides are transmissive of illumination;and illumination means nonrotatably disposed within each of said messagesupport means.
 6. Apparatus as in claim 5, wherein: said illuminationmeans comprises an axis member extending from fixed relation with saidsupport means along the axis of rotation of a message support means to alocation in communication with a hollow region within said messagesupport means; electrical conductive means disposed in said axis member;means connected with said message support means in rotation bearingrelation with said axis member; and a source of illumination disposedwithin said message support means and nonrotatably supported by saidaxis member, said source of illumination connected to said electricalconductive means.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein: said linkagemeans comprises means pivotally attached to each of said message supportmeans at a certain location spaced apart from each of said axes ofrotation; motive means rotating an output wheel; and a drive linkinterconnected between said pivotally attached means and a radiallocation on said output wheel which oscillates said message supportmember from said first position to said second position in one-halfrevolution of the output wheel.
 8. Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein:said drive link includes a first member having an elongate internalpassageway; a second member of elongate configuration received withinsaid internal passageway and dimensioned to be freely reciprocabletherein; one of said first and second members connected to said outputwheel and the other member connected to said pivotally attached means; adetent formed in said second member; and a member mounted on said firstmember and resiliently engged with said detent to transmit drive forcesufficient for normal oscillation of said message support members and todisengage said detent if the drive force exceeds a certain maximumamount.
 9. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein: each of message supportsides comprises a generally plane surface having a message receivingdepressed region extending along substantially the length of the messagesupport side and of sufficient depth to hold changeable indicia displayswithout interferences when sides of adjacent message supports confrontand substantially abut each other.